I feel it in my fingers

OK. I hate cold weather. Fortunately, DC spares me the worst of the wintery effects. However, while in Chicago for Thanksgiving last week, I was reminded of just how much I  dislike the bone-chilling cold of the Windy City. It's the kind of cold where you don't want to be outside for more than 30 consecutive seconds, and once you get back to your home, you're shivering so badly, you can't get your keys in the door to where the heater is. Then you fall asleep in your full-length winter jacket and scarf.

I am back in DC. Phew. But it's starting to get a little cooler than it was before the holiday, and then I realized, Wow, it's almost December!

December means it's time for the full she-bang. Hats, scarves, mittens, the works. Right now, I wear my favorite, grey, American Eagle mittens that I received as a gift in high schools and still love (they have the flaps that fold back so I can text easily! I can't deny innovation). But I need to grow up and style up. I'm very into the sleek winter look of a coat with leather or suede gloves. It seems very city chic, and it's a lot more age-appropriate than my mittens.

I've got long fingers, so it's a bit hard to find gloves that fit comfortably. I'll keep you posted on if I can find some well-fitting ones. Meanwhile, here are some of gloves I've been eyeing online:

A hard, rocker look from J. Crew:

J. Crew zip leather gloves: $98

A more ladylike suede (still with an edge) in a fabulous shade:

H&M suede gloves, available in stores

A shot of color, for those of us who abide by basic black coats:

Kate Spade broome street bow gloves: $125

A non-black neutral with a dash of bling:

3.1 Phillip Lim Arbus leather gloves, available at Farfetch: $295

A little bit of luxurious shearling to keep your delicate wrists warm:

UGG Australia leather glove, available at Bloomingdales: $145

A little bit of lumberjack flare, with extra length for us long-armed ladies:

Lands' End women's leather top gloves: $49.50

How will you stay warm this December?

Two is better than one

Nothing says frugal like buying a multipurpose item. That's why I've been trying to buy day-to-night dresses, classic staples and wear-with-everything cardigans lately.

Of course, you can always buy an item that can be styled different ways, but why not buy an item that can style itself different ways?

After all, more is more, right?

Full-length coat vs. cropped jacket

Tibi Ritz Tweed Convertible Coat, available at Revolve: $434

Ankle boots vs. riding boots

Lillybee Faith boots, available at Simply Soles: $236

Long gloves vs. short gloves

J. Crew convertible jeweled gloves (the cashmere zips off!): $198

Navy cardigan vs. brown cardigan

Rachel Comey reversible cardigan, available at Farfetch: $380

Camel cape vs. grey cape

Tory Burch Liam reversible double face cotton poncho in camel/grey, available at Nordstrom: $414

The staple wear-it-many-ways dress

Victoria's Secret ruched multi-way dress: $79 (check the website for all the fun ways to wear this!)

Too many clothes, not enough closet

Real estate in DC is not easy to come by. But what's really hard to find is a good closet.

My wardrobe is outgrowing my closet space quickly. But since a bigger closet isn't really in the cards right now, I just daydream about what my closet will look like someday...

(From ...Love Maegan)

A closet is the perfect place to go a little crazy. (Credit: Domino via Style Redux)

I really want a chair in my closet.

Celerie Kimble's closet (Credit: Lonny)

And a vanity...

(Credit: La Dolce Vita)

And a chaise, and a folding room divider to dress behind...

Doesn't get more classic than Jackie Kennedy's dressing room (Credit: prettythings4u)

With all my clothes hanging, easy to see, instead of crammed together in a 3x5 space...

Nanette Lepore's vintage glam closet - with adorable puppy (Credit: Elle Decor)

The ultimate closet is Carrie Bradshaw's, am I right?

A look for less: Alexander Wang Cowl Neck Sweater

Alexander Wang cowl neck sweater, available at Shopbop: $595

Is it possible to be in love with an inanimate object? Because every time I see this sweater, my heart goes a-flutter. The soft alpaca wool, the oversized comfort, the draped luxury, the uber-trendy and versatile camel color... it all says "wear me, wear me, a thousand times wear me!"

I've been crushing on this sweater since September, and while my love has only grown, my desire to sell out 6 Benjamins for a sweater has not. I'm not saying this sweater isn't worth the price tag - it so is. But I have many things I want to buy, and not as many dollars.

So I've been hunting for a replacement. It won't be made out of llama wool, I know, but it's a small sacrifice for luxury.

Here are five awesome duplicates. But you'll always have my heart, A-Wang!

Jamison Alden cashmere cowl neck pullover, available at Revolve: $299

J. Crew cashmere cowlneck sweater: $228

Ann Taylor Cable Cowl Neck Tunic: $128 (buy it a size larger for a similar fit)

MICHAEL Michael Kors Cowl Neck Tunic, available at Nordstrom: $69.50 (this has a bit of shimmer so it's not exactly the same, but the look is right!)

H&M cowl neck sweater: $24.99 (PS did you know in the UK this is called a "roll-neck jumper"? Love it!)

You're Invited: Junior League of Washington's A Capital Collection

In the words of the Zombies, it's the time of the season... for presents! Yes, Christmas/Hanukkah/birthdays for people born in December are sneaking up on us! Are you ready?

Junior League of Washington (JLW) wants to make it easy to get all your shopping done in one fell swoop! The three-day shopping event brings more than 60 merchants, including Vineyard Vines, Kate Spade, J. Crew and Sassanova, in one central location in Washington, DC - the Marriott Wardman Hotel in Woodley Park.

But ACC, as it is affectionately known among the League, is more than just a shopping event - it helps JLW raise funds to support its community service efforts in DC. A commission of all merchant sales, corporate sponsorships, ad sales, special events, admission fees and donations help the League support 25 partner organizations in DC through thousands of annual volunteer hours and more than 1,000 donated books each year. We are proud to focus our financial and volunteer resources on the complex issues of literacy in the greater Washington metropolitan area.

This Friday through Sunday, join more than 5,000 other bargain-hungry DC shoppers and head to the Marriott Wardman for the best shopping experience of the season. Buy your $10 general admission ticket by clicking here or at the door!

Junior League will also be hosting a special Girls' Night Out shopping event on Friday night from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. Champagne and sweets will be served while you play at beauty bars sponsored by Neiman Marcus, and I'll be volunteering - so come say hi! Tickets can be bought here.

The holiday season is all about giving, and at ACC, giving is always in style.

WEDDING DRESSES!!!!!!!!

When I was in New Orleans a few weekends ago, I tried on wedding dresses!

Oh. My. Gosh. Was it exciting.

And I have great news - I found a dress. Well, actually, I found two. They are very similar in many ways: both are made from ivory silk organza; both are modified drop waists (basically a mix between a line and trumpets); both are strapless (not what I was expecting but they can add straps to anything); and both are BEAUTIFUL.

Basically, the experience was much less stressful than I expected (thank you, Say Yes to the Dress, for that expectation).

The weirdest part was seeing myself in a white wedding gown. With the first dress (which was a no), I felt goofy. But then as I tried a couple more on, I got in a groove, and then I just found some that clicked. I sashayed, I sat, I played with the trains. Honestly, I could buy seven gowns and wear them all!

Before shopping, I completely thought I'd want to shopshopshop until I tried on every bridal gown EVER. But now that I've found some I love, I am perfectly content shopping. I just need to show the Maid of Honor, and I'm good to go!

Now, I'd love to give you all my advice for wedding dress shopping, but that's for another post. For now, I want to focus on the NYC bridal markets.

These beauties, from the Fall 2011 collections, are breathtakingly beautiful.

You can go elegant and classy:

Jenny Packham

Oscar De La Renta (Credit: Bride's Guide)

Amsale

Or soft and romantic:

Lela Rose

Kenneth Pool

Monique Lhuillier

Judd Waddell

Or like something out of a fairy tale:

Monique Lhuillier

Priscilla of Boston (Credit: Southern Weddings)

Judd Waddell

Or something totally unique:

Rivini (Credit: Southern Weddings)

Farah Angsana (Credit: Examiner.com)

Temperley

I would lovelovelove to share my top two dresses with you, but I don't want to give too much away (to you or the all-important fiance). Now, I just have a year and a half to wait before my wedding dress debut. Which gives me 18 months to watch what I eat and tone my arms 'til they almost fall off.

I can't wait!!